TALKING THISTLE Dan insists no better time for Jags to go on a winning run

PARTICK Thistle defender Danny Devine is under no illusions as to how vital his team’s next three matches are in their quest for survival in the Ladbrokes Premiership and he knows that if they are to go on a run of wins, there would be no better ti me than this Saturday for it to begin.

Thistle currently sit in 10th position in the Premiership but face ninth-place Dundee at Firhill this weekend. And with the Dens Park side just one point ahead of the Jags, Devine’s team could go above them as well as St Johnstone, who do not play until Sunday.

And with Thistle having put in a stirring performance against Celtic in the Scottish Cup last weekend, which saw the Scottish champions scrape a 3-2 win, Devine is confident that his team are in good form.

“We’re looking forward to the Dundee game and the boys are raring to go, especially after our second-half performance against Celtic,” he said.

“There were a lot of positives to take from that game if you take out the first 15 minutes. But this weekend, it’s a different game – it’s in the league and it’s a big opportunity for us to leapfrog Dundee so the boys are eager to get going.

“It is a big game and there is quite a bit of pressure on it but the boys will put that to the back of their heads and just go out there for the three points.

“It’s important for us to creep up the table. We’ve had a lot of injuries and setbacks this year, but it’s still disappointing that we’ve been lingering at the bottom of the table. We’re running out of games now so if there’s ever a time for us to start picking up points, it’s now and it has to start on Saturday.”

FOLLOWING the Dundee game, Thistle will then face Hamilton and Ross County who are at the bottom of the table and Devine knows that racking up some points in the next few weeks could ensure their survival this season.

“The next three games are vitally important for us because it’s the teams who are round about us so if we’re ever going to put a run together, to start that on Saturday would be perfect,” he said.

Devine has regained his place in the team after a spell on the sidelines and he admits that it has been great to be back playing.

“It was tough when I was out because I missed a couple of games and the boys were doing well and picked up a bit of form,” he said. “They got a couple of good results but that’s football and you just have to bide your time.

“But it was good for me to get back in against Rangers and then go up against Celtic, so things are very positive for me. Hopefully I can get more game time in the next few weeks.”